Parenting New Year Resolutions

I reside in the beautiful Charleston, SC area - be jealous, be very jealous. The cobblestone sidewalks, pristine beaches, beautifully preserved architecture, historical sites, and to top it off Charleston, South Carolina is the friendliest city friendliest city in the United States according to Travel + Leisure. It's also worth mentioning that Charleston is in the #1 spot for attractive people. What's not to love?

So when thinking of my New Year resolutions, I got creative, being that Spring is right around the corner. I combined my 5 resolutions into a family retreat and reflection. The New Year resolutions are as follows: (1) Save money - of course, who's not trying to save in this soft economy. (2) Scratch off the family activities on the 'to-do-list', which are: Go to the 2010 annual BB&T Charleston wine festival, go to a theater show, and do a fun outdoor activity. (3) Connect with the family, really connect - smile and laugh, talk, listen - real quality family time. (4) Create an 'I-did-it-board' (same as a 'to-do-list', just opposite: after I check my planned family activities, we'll all post it on the 'I-did-it-board'!). (5) Live in the moment - carpe diem or seize the day. In short I'd like to take advantage of this short-life and make the most of my family - the loves of my life.

In short, this guide will help you reconnect with your family, save the money you would've spent on a family getaway by staying in your hometown and finding creative family activities, and reflect on the time spent together.

What's better than fine food, wine and a good time? Nothing. So first up on the list, purchase a ticket for a special night out with the family, for the annual BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival®, March 3-6, 2011. Need more convincing, this wine festival has been praised as one of the top five food and wine festivals in the U.S. by Forbes Traveler. Don't live near Charleston, look up your city's homepage and look for a festival of your own.

After a evening out on the town, full of wine for the love birds and tasty treats for the whole family, we're going to need an evening to relax. The perfect relaxation/entertainment venue: Charleston Stage Company. The whole family will enjoy the Historic Dock Street Theater, chose from a full season of plays, musicals, and theatre-for-youth productions. The theater is a perfect place for the whole family to engage through laughter and entertainment.

The kids will be refreshed and ready to have some fun by day three, so I'll take the family for an outdoor retreat with one of the many Commission's Outdoor Adventure Program's non-traditional outdoor adventure recreation. We'll all enjoy climbing a rock wall and taking a hike through the woods. This will allow our family some real connection time, learning about each other and the nature that surrounds us.

The final day, we'll hit the beach. Our family retreat wouldn't be complete without the beach and fun in the sand. Chosen destination - Charleston's Sullivan's Island because it provides a perfect family atmosphere with relaxing family-friendly beaches on South Carolina's coast. Sullivan's island is known for their charming seaside neighborhoods and laid-back dining venues.

Upon arrival home, to finish off my New Year's resolution, I'll create a 'vision board' with a chalk board and colorful chalk for the whole family to partake in our family's 'I-did-it-list'. This will remind our family of our fun times together and create a sense of unity, ultimately bringing us closer. Reminding us to always enjoy the moment and reflect on our great memories.

References:

http://www.charlestonwineandfood.com/events-tickets/

http://www.charlestonwineandfood.com/

http://www.asylum.com/2010/11/09/travel-leisure-charleston-s-c-is-city-with-the-most-attractive-people/

http://www.travelandleisure.com/

http://www.charlestoncvb.com/visitors/tripplanner/what_to_see_do~3/cultural_activities~36/theatre_theatre_venues~82/charleston_stage_company~31.html